Fnatic
2019-04-05 16:10:00
Splyce

Fnatic vs Splyce

2019-04-05 15:28:53Posted by Petar

Just four Best of 5 matches are separating us from the moment when either a new team claims the LEC trophy, or the defending champions step foot on the stage and get showered in confetti. Either way, we should be in for one hell of a ride.

Before that moment happens, however, we have to start with the 2019 Spring Split LEC semifinals. The first match at hand, is an exceptionally interesting one, although it might not seem like it on first glance. We have a fight between the reigning, defending champions — Fnatic, and a team that has come close to the top on so many occasions, but has never managed to actually leave a mark — Splyce.

So who’s favored and why? In short, Fnatic are the heavy favorites. They’re not only the defending champions, but they’ve also displayed some downright astonishing League of Legends over the last month or so. They started off on the wrong foot, and it felt like we were in for one of the biggest and most confusing narratives in LEC history — from the finals of the World Championship, to a bottom three team in the region just two months afterwards.

But they fought back. They persevered and worked on all of their issues. It wasn’t easy, and we’ve seen their improvement with each passing week. It was a marvelous sight, and by the end of the split, they were not only the best team in the region, but they were also able to take down any challenge presented before them.

They beat G2 Esports, they beat Origen, Schalke 04, Team Vitality, as well asSplyce. In fact, they beat Splyce in the very last week of regular season play — so that win is still relatively fresh in everyone’s mind.

Simply put, they’re exceptional across the board. They have multiple threats within their five-man roster, and they’re using them at will. They’re still a bit rough around the edges at times, but those fleeting moments are few and far between. When they start off on the right foot, they seem almost unbeatable.

Their recent 3-0 shellacking of Team Vitality is the perfect example. They did every single thing right. While Vitality was focusing Bwipo non-stop, Fnatic was always able to punish their greed and aggression by taking more across the map. They were proactive, unrellenting, and were the ones who dictated the pace of the game from the very get-go.

Vitality did their best, but they were simply outpaced, outrotated, and eventually bested in the team fighting department. Seeing Fnatic so commanding and in sync was a thing of beauty, and they echoed a lot what made them great back in 2018.

Even their new mid laner Nemesis has been outstanding more often than not. He’s rarely the reason why Fnatic win, but he’s never the reason why they lost. While that’s not exactly the most positive thing in the world, Fnatic need a solid, well-rounded mid laner that’s more focused on roaming and team fighting rather than individual play. Outclassing his adversary in lane could go a long way, but it’s more important that he’s on the same page with his team once the mid and late game comes around. He’s not exactly a worldbeater right now, but he has ample potential and he will definitely grow alongside his experienced teammates as time goes on.

It’s hard to really highlight just one aspect of Fnatic because they’ve been playing spectacularly as a five-man unit. They play as a team and they find a way to win as one.

But it’s not like Splyce can’t hold a candle to them. Far from it. There are three grizzled veterans within their starting five-man line-up, and they’re actually fantastic as a team. They’re still not a top-tier team when compared to a behemoth like Fnatic, but they’re getting there. After all, they’ve only been playing together for a couple of months.

They’re also deceptively strong across the board with some of the best players in each and every role. Their AD carry Kobbe — a veteran in his own right — was just voted on the All Pro team and has been playing out of his mind throughout the entire split. Vizicsacsi is a legend of a top laner and he’s still able to go blow-for-blow with the new kids on the block.

Finally, their jungler Xerxe has been woefully underrated ever since he joined the LEC back in 2017. The guy is unique in every regard, and is often impossible to read. To make matters even more complicated, his deep champion ocean is staggering. How can you ban out someone who can play virtually anything and still attain success?

As a team, Splyce are much stronger than they’re getting credit for. They might not be a world-class team just yet, but they definitely have a varied arsenal, and are able to tango with the best teams the LEC has to offer. The Best of 5 setting should also highlight some of their strengths — the ample amounts of mental fortitude, their grit and resilience, veteran status, but also their fantastic drafts and versatile strategies.

Splyce are always a tough nut to crack, although Fnatic should be more than up for the challenge. This is a Best of 5, so things might go a bit back-and-forth, but when the dust settles, the defending LEC champions should emerge victorious.

By the looks of it, they’re the best and most capable team Europe currently has to offer — and that’s saying something seeing how Origen and G2 Esports are both playing on an astonishingly high level. It’s not like Fnatic as perfect either — but they play so well around their faults, and they always find a way to find, regardless of how grim the situation might look. With a stellar early, mid, and late game, they’re one of the hardest teams to take down in the LEC right now. And it’s not like they’ve reached their full potential either — this Fnatic line-up is only getting started.

When the odds are stacked against them, Fnatic always find a way to bounce back in spectacular fashion. That is, perhaps, their biggest and most recognizable narrative. After all, had it not been so they wouldn’t have been able to go from an abysmal 3W-7L record all the way to 11W-7L. They’re poised to defend their throne, and while that outcome still isn’t guaranteed, they know Splyce are just a negligible block in the road towards greatness.

That said, Splyce definitely have the right tools to make this into one heck of a Best of 5. They know they’re the underdogs and will start throwing heavy punches right out the gates.

GamePickBookmakerOddsStakeResult
Fnatic 1xBet 1.21 8 Win

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